A Coromandel woman has been prosecuted for owning a dog that attacked sheep and lambs on a Kauaeranga Valley farm in September of last year.

Vicky Kearns of Kauaeranga Valley was ordered to pay $300 in reparations to the complainant for the loss of stock when she appeared in the Thames District Court recently.

Kearns was also ordered to pay $226 for the Thames-Coromandel District Council's legal costs.

In his decision, Judge Marshall found council had provided sufficient evidence to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt.

An order for destruction of the dog, a Siberian Husky, was also made, even though the dog remains at large having been unlawfully removed from the Thames District Pound in September last year.

Bylaws and Compliance Team Leader Steve Hart says a result of the conviction Kearns is now disqualified from owning a dog for five years.

'Our council takes dog attacks on animals or people seriously and this prosecution is a timely reminder that dog owners must ensure dogs are under control at all times,” he says.

Since January council's bylaws staff have dealt with 20 incidents of dog attacks across the Coromandel.

Normally they'd deal with an average of one to two incidents a month, so it's been an extremely busy time, says Steve.

'Two of the incidents since the start of this year involved people riding their bikes with dogs off leads, with dogs ending up in an altercation with other dogs.

'Riding a bike on a road or footpath with the dog off-lead is a breach to a bylaw as dogs are required to be controlled on a lead in public places unless at an exercise area.”

Steve says people don't often realise but they are also responsible for controlling their dog on their own property.

Displaying a ‘Beware of Dog' or ‘Dog on Duty' signs up doesn't legally absolve you if your dog attacks someone who comes onto your property.

'If people need advice or help about dog behaviour get in touch with our Dog Control Team as they can refer you to dog trainers, dog experts and even local vets who can help out,” says Steve.

For more information call the Thames-Coromandel District Council's customer service team on 07-868-0200 to be put through to our Dog Control Team.